How to pronounce volleyball
Say it like VOL-ee-bawl. Volleyball has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VOL).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce volleyball. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- VOL
- ee
- bawl
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Volleyball pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- VOLSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- eeKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "ee" in see.
- bawlGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "aw" in law.
American vs British pronunciation of volleyball
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
British respelling: VOL-ee-bawl.
What does volleyball mean?
- a game in which two teams hit an inflated ball over a high net using their hands
- an inflated ball used in playing volleyball
Where does volleyball come from?
From volley + ball. In 1895, in Holyoke, Massachusetts, William G.
Questions about saying volleyball
How do you pronounce volleyball?
Say VOL-ee-bawl. The American pronunciation is /ˈvɑliˌbɔl/. In British English it is /ˈvɒliːˌbɔːl/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in volleyball?
Volleyball has three syllables, and the main stress falls on the first one (VOL). Broken into parts: VOL · ee · bawl.
Is volleyball pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˈvɒliːˌbɔːl/ (VOL-ee-bawl).